Process of making artificial dentures



Dec. 28 1926. 1,612,605

T. BUENAVENTURA PROCESS OF MAKING ARTIFICIAL DENTURES Filed Aprii 6, 1 25 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 28 1926. 1,612,605

T.BUENAVENTURA PROCESS OF MAKING ARTIFICIAL DENTURES Filed April 1925 2 SheetsSheet 2 O o v NFF JQ. +6- 717 0 O O O O O O O O O O 0 O O O INVENTOR Patented Dec; 28, 1926. I

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE THOMAS BUENAVENTURA, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

rnocnss onuAxrNe ARTIFICIAL neurones.

Application filed April 6,

The present invention relates to the art of dentistry, and more particularly to an improved artificial denture and process of making the same.

Artificial dental work may be divided into two classesmetallic and non-metallic. Metallic dental work has heretofore been done by two main processes, to-wit, either casting or swaging. Neither of these processes has proved entirely satisfactory. In the casting process, difficulties arise because of the e'x pansion and contraction of the materials,

especially when the work is ofvarying thickness, as is usually the'case. The swaging process is perhaps less accurate than the casting process, because the blows upon the work mar the high points and ultimately distort the die. Even if several dies and counter-dies are made, it is not possible to impress upon hard metal the firm and sharp lines of the mouth. Bythe present invention, a process is provided which involves the formation of a base-plate by the deposition of a layer of .metal on a surface which is an exact replica of the portion of the mouth for which the denture is desired, and, after setting the teeth thereon, reinforcing said plate, either by means of a light forged plate or plates, or by the deposition of another layer of metal thereon. While I prefer to form said base-plate by the electrodeposition of metal, it will be understood that said plate may be formed by depositim the metal inany other suitable manner, as by spraying or precipitation. The invention also involves, among other features, formation of said replica by the deposition of metal on the face of an impression of the desired part of the mouth,

and also securing of the reinforcing plate to.

the base plate by the deposition of metal between the'opposed surfaces of said plates, or in perforationsin said reinforcing plate.

In the accompanying drawings there are shown, for purposes of illustration only, certain preferred embodiments of my inven- 1 tion, it being understood that the drawings do not define'the limits of my invention, as changesmay obviously be made in the steps disclosed herein, and in the manner and order of carrying out the same without departing from the'spirit of the inventionor scope of m -broader claims. v

In thetdrawings: F'gures 1 to 6, inclusive, are sectional views illustrating successive steps for obf I P -bodiment of my 1923. Serial No. 630,377.

taining a base-plate in accordance with one embodiment of my invention,

Figures 7 \to 10, inclusive, are sectional views illustrating successive steps in a modified method forobtaining such plate,

F lgure 11 is a perspective view of a tooth having a metal backing,-

Figure 12 is a sectional'view illustrating the base-plate with teeth temporarily secured thereto,

Figure 13 is a plan view of a perforated reinforcing plate,

Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectionalview, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line XIV-XIV of Figure 13, Figure 15 is a sectional view showing th perforated reinforcing plate shaped to and fitted in position on the base-plate, I

Figure 16 is a. front View of the denture 'onthe labial and buccal surfaces'thereof,

I Figure 17 isa fragmentary sectional view illustrating a coating of pink gold on the labial and buccal surfaces of the reinforcing plate, and 1 Fjgures 18to '23,'inclusive, illustrate suceessive steps in accordance with another eminvention for making a partial denture.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 6,,inelusive, an impression A in p aster is taken of the ortion of the mouth for which the denture as desired. The face of this impression is given a coating 2 of material, such asgraphite, which is a 'ood conductor of electricity, and the remain er ofthe surface of said impression isboated with a dielectric substance 3; The coated impression is now placed in a suitable electrolytic bath, and a.- layer of metal deposited thereon to produce anegathe 4 of the impression. -The metal nega-' .tive 4 is then removed. from the impression and coated with .a dielectric substance 5, leaving uncoated, however, the face which was in contact with theimpression, or so much 'ofsaid face as it is desiredto forma base plate on. The negative is then placed in a' suitableelectrolyticYbathflmd a baselate 6 built on the unlimited. face thereof y the electfodeposition, thereon of a suitable alloy, preferablyan' alloy of. gold, silver erably of gold, pressed on its face.

removed therefrom by etching and dissolving it with an acid that does notaifect the base-:plate. The base-plate 6, after removal therefrom of the negative 4, is illustrated in section in Figure 6. This base-plate is necessarily a facsimile of the part of the mouth of which'the impression was taken. Although the method above described, whereby a base-plate is obtained by electrodeposition of an. alloy upon an electro deposited metallic negative of a plaster 1mression is to be referred 'if the im ression p 7 has been broken in taking it out of the mouth,or if it has been taken in a plastic .material, an alternative method, illustrated in Figures '7 to 10, inclusive, may be followed for obtaining the base-plate illustrated in Figure 6. Referring to these figures, A indicates a plaster impression similar to the.

impression A, but which has been broken, as

indicated, in taking it out of the mouth. A

plaster cast B is made of the impression A'.\

This'cast is a negative of the impression A, just as the plate 4 is a negative of the impression A. i e '1 After allowing sufiicient time for setting and hardening, the cast is separated from the impression and thin metal foil 7 plrfif is metal foil is smoothed and shaped over the surface upon which the base-plate is to be built, and is projected about one-quarter of an inch beyond the outline of said base-plate. The remaining surface of the cast is coated with a dielectric substance 3', the edge portions of the foil also being coated therewith, as far as the outline of the desired baseplate. The cast is now placed in a suitable electrolytic bath, and 'a' base-plate 6 built thereon by electrodeposition.

The base-plate 6 or 6 having been pro duced by either of the above described alternative methods, the next operation is the setting of the teeth, which may be done in the usual manner in an anatomical articulator,

preferably using interchangeable teeth having a metal backin such as illustrated in the impression to obtain a die'corresponding to the base-plate with the teeth thereon. Another method for obtaining such die is to make a sand mold of the base-plate'and cast a die of hard metal in said mold.

Having made the die, as above described,

the next step is to provide a reinforcing plate for the base-plate. A perforated plate 8 of rolled metal, as indicated in Figures 13 and 14:,is annealed, trimmed and swaged,

or otherwise conformed to the shape of the die The outer surface of the plate 1s coated with a dielectric substance, care being taken that the surface which is to come next 7 to the base-plate and the perforations are perfectly clean. Then the reinforcing plate is placed and properly held in position on the base-plate and firmly united to the baseplate by electrodepositing metal between their opposed surfaces and in said perforati'ons. At the saine time, the metal backings of the teeth are firmly united to the reinforcing plate by electrodeposition of metal in the perforations of said reinforcing plate.-

While I have referred to a single reinforc-' ing plate, it will be understood that said plate may be made in separate sections. For example, one section may cover the lingual surfaces of the base-plate, and another section or sections the labial and buccal surfaces of said plate. Also, while I prefer to use teeth having a metal backing, either stationary or removable, because, after they have been set in the right position, they are securely united to the plate without the slightest motion, teeth without a metal backing may be used, in which case, after the reinforcing plate or plates have been united to the base-plate by electroplating, the teeth are removed by placing the denture in hot water for a few minutes, and'are afterwards cemented back in their respective sockets.

The denture is finished by electroplating the labial and buccal surfaces of the reinforcing plate with 'gold in a special bath to produce a-pink hue approaching as near as possible to the color of the gums. Figure 17 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, illustrating the plating 9 of pink gold on the labial and buccal surfaces. Figures 18 to 23, inclusive, illustrate my improved process as applied to the making of bridges or partial dentures. work, I make a very thin base-plate 10 of a nickel-iron alloy by the same process as described for making a complete denture, and temporarily secure the teeth thereon.

For such Teeth without a metal backing may be used in this kind of work, but they should be covered with metal foil 11, such as gold leaf, whereby an encasement may be formed by electroplating, in which the teeth may be cemented. The teeth are set in the right positions and the covering foil smoothed downward on the base-plate. The base-plate and the metal foil are then electroplated in a nickel-iron bath, forming a reinforcing layer 12 on the base-plate and metal encasements or sockets 13 for the teeth. The teeth are cemented in these sockets. The edges process is that thoroug 1y accurate work may he produced, because the surface of the work which conforms to the part of the i that it mouth for which the denture is made is produced automatically by the electrodeposition of metal. The personal skill of the artisan doesflnot, therefore, afiect this part-of the work. Another advantage of the invention is rovides acprocess'wherein no high, mechanical skill is required to perform its [various operations. I

Forming the base-plate by electrodeposition of metal and afterwards reinforcingit with a forged lightplate or plates. of very tough and resilient metal united to the baseplate by electrodeposition-qf metal through perforations, preferably bevel-edged to. in-

- stand the stress of uniting the teeth. and the sure'riveting grip, in said reinforcing plate or plates, is particularly advanta eons, be cause, by choosing a suitable meta or-allo the base-plate can be'made comparative y thin, in fact, only'strong enough-to'withtrial -in the mouth without distortion, and the reinforcing late or plates afi'ord a firm and secure anc orage for the teeth.) The complete denture can; therefore, be finished comparativeiy light, while aifording all the necessary strength.

-While it is contemplated that" within the scope of this invention, the formationof parts-requiring the deposition of'metal'may P v ing' a metalllc'neg'at ve of sand lmpresslon,

be produced in ways other than by electrodeposition, f articular advantages arise from employmg.electrodeposition of metal, in that a uniform layer or deposit is insured,qthe deposlt receiving surface is not subjected to. any objectionable temperature conditions or changesfand the metalliccovering is forme'dwithout setting up. mechanical strains therein. j-z' Iclaim: v 1. In process'for making artificial denin taking an. im-

mg a negative of said impression by the deposition of: a 'layerof metal on the face thereof, and formin 2a .metallic. base plate as a positiveofgsai negative; v

,2. In a process for artificial dentures, the steps consistin'g intakin 8.1111 1 pression of a portion of the moat formmg a negati'vejofsaid impression by. the

I eliectrodefpositibrr-Of alayer-of ma ron the face thereof, and forming a metallic base plate as a positive off'saidnegat ve.

3. a process for'making artificial dentures, the stcps'consistin in taking an impression of a-portion of 51 the face of said impression with material which is adapted to cause' the adherence'of a layer of metal thereto, forming a negative of said impression by the deposition of a layer of metal on said covered face, and forming a metallic base plate as .a positive of said negative.

4. In a process for making artificial -dentures, the steps consisting in taking an im pression of a portion of the mouth, covering the face of said impression with material whichis a good conductor ofelectricity, forming a negative of said impression by the electrodeposition of a layer ofmet-al on said covered face, and forming a metallic base plate as a' positive of said negative.

5; In a process for-making artificial den= tures,."the steps consistingjin takin an impression of aportion' of the moat covermg the. face of said im r'ession with material whichisa good con actor of electricity,

mga negative of said impression by the electrodeposition of a layer v of metal on said covereduface, and formin i'a metallic base plate as a positive of negative.

e mouth, covering coating theremaining surface of said-im-. pressi'on w th a dielectric substance, form-.

, 6.,In' apmcessffor making artificial dentures,,the steps consistin in takin pression of a portion of the mout formingane at'rve' of said impression of mate-.

rial whi is agood conductor of electricity,

and bnilding'a base plate on said negative,

by the electrodeposition of metal on the face thereof. I 1

; 7 In a process making artificialdem. tures, the steps consistin in. taking an imres'si'on of aportion o the'mout l,fform-' and building a base-plate on-jsaid negative l 8. In a processforjmaking-artificial dentures, the steps consistin in, taking an ,im-.

an im-.

pression' of a portion of t 1e mouth,"-forming a negative of saidimpression by the dc os1- tion of a layer of metal. on-the' .facejt ereof, and buildinga base-pl'ate on s a1d,negative by thedeposition; of metal on the face thereof.

9. In a'iproce 'sifor ash tur'es, the'steps consisting in takingan impression of a portionpf the' ,mouth,1forming a negative ofsaid impression by the electrodeposition of a-'layer of' 'rij1etaI on 4 the face t ereof.

threoL aHd Id B t a e-plate on-said negative b :the electrodeposition'of m gr t n tures, the. steps consistin 'in taking an-impression of a portion of t e mouth, forming I l a eg o said impression by the elec- F trodeposition of a layer of metal on the face thereof, removing said negative from said impression, forming a base-plate by the electrodeposition of metal upon the face of said negative, and removing said negative from said base-plate. I

11. In a process for making artificial dentures, the steps consisting in taking an impression 'of a portion of the mouth, forming a negative of said impression by the electrodeposition of a layer of metal on the face thereof, removing said negative from said impression, forming a base-plate by the electrodeposition of metal upon the face of said negative,.and removing said negative from said base-plate by etching and dissolving said negative in. an acid which does not affect said base-plate/ 12. In a process for making artificial (lenftures, the steps consisting in taking an impression of a portion of the mouth, forming a negative of said impression, building a base-plate on said negativ by the electro deposition of metal on the face thereof, removing said negative from said base-plate, mounting teeth on said base-plate, and reinforcing said base-plate.

13. In a process for making artificial dentures, the steps consisting in taking an im pression of a portion of the mouth, forming a negative of said impression, building a base-plate on said negative by the electrodeposi'tion of metal thereon se'parating said negative from said base-plate, mounting teeth on said base-plate, conforming a reinforcing plate to said base-plate, and permanently uniting said reinforcing plate to said base-plate. 14. In a process for making artificial dentures, the steps consisting in taking an impression of a ortion of the mouth, forming a negative of said impression, building a base-plate on said negative by the deposition of metal thereon, removing said negative from said base-plate, mounting teeth on said base-plate, conforming a' reinforcing plate to said base-plate, and permanently uniting said reinforcing plate to said base-plate by the deposition of metal. i

15. In a process for malring artificial dentures, the steps consisting in taking an impression of a portion of the mouth, forminga negative of said impression, building a base-plate .on said negative by the electrodeposition of metal thereon, removing said negative from said base-plate, mounting teeth on said base-plate, conforming a reinforcing plate to said base-plate, and permanently uniting said reinforcing plate to said base-plate by the electrodeppsition of metal.

16. In a process for making artificial dentures, the steps consisting in taking an impression of a portion of the mouth, forming a negative of said impression, building a face which is areplica of the portion 0 the base-plate'on said negative by the electrodeposition of metal on the face thereof, removing said negative from said base-plate, mounting teeth on said base-plate, conforming a perforated reinforcing plate to said base-plate, and permanently uniting said reinforcing plate to said base-plate by the electrodeposition of metal between the opposed surfaces of said plates and in said perforations.

17. In a process for making artificial dentures, the steps consisting in taking an impression of a portion of the mouth, forming a negative of said impression, building a base-plate on said negative by the electrodeposition of metal on the face thereof, removing said negative from said base-plate, mounting teeth on said base-plate, conform-- ing a perforated reinforcing plate to the labialandbuccal surfaces of said base-plate, permanently uniting said reinforcing plate to said base-plate by the electrodeposition of .metal in the perforations of said reinforcing plate, and electroplating selected portions of said reinforcing plate with a metal substance to give the desired tint. 18. In a process for making artificial dentures, the steps consisting in forming a baseplate by the deposition of metal on a surmouth for which the denture is desired, mounting teeth on said base-plate, casting a die corresponding to said base-plate with the teeth thereon, forging a reinforcing plate for said base-plate on said die, mounting said reinforcing plate on said base-plate, and permanently uniting said plates.

19. In a process for making artificial dentures. the steps consisting in forming a baseplate by the deposition of metal upon a surface which is a replica of the portion of the mouth for which the denture is desired, mounting a tooth on said base-plate, and securing to said base-plate by deposition of metal a socket for said tooth.

20. In a process for making artificial dentures, the steps consisting in forming a baseplate by the deposition of metal upon a surface which is a replica of the portion of the mouth for which the denture is desired, mounting a tooth on said base-plate and reinforcing said base-plate, and simultaneous- 1y securing thereto a socket for said tooth by the deposition of'metal.

, 21. In a process for making artificial dentures, the steps consisting in forming a basepiate by the deposition of metal upon a surface which is a-repl ica of the port on of the mouth for which the denture is desired, mounting a tooth on said base-plate, and reinforcing said base-plate.

22. In a process for making artificial dentures, the steps consisting in forming a baseplate by the deposition of metal upon a surface which is a replica of the portion of the mouth for which the denture is-desired, conforming a reinforcing plate to 'said baseplate, and permanently uniting said plates by the deposition of metal.

23. In a process for making artificial dentures, the steps colisisting in forming a baseplate. by the electrodeposition of metal upon a surface which is a replica of the portion of the mouth for which the denture is deon said base-plate, and electroplating said sired, conforming a reinforcing plate to said base-plate, and permanently uniting said plates by the electrodeposition of metal.

24. In a process for making artificial dentures, the steps consisting in forming a baseplate by the electrodeposition of metal upon a surface which is a replica of the portion of the mouth for which the denture is desired, forging arcinforci'ng plate to conform to said base-plate, and permanently uniting said plates by the electrodeposition of metal between their opposed surfaces.

25. In a process for making artificial dentures, the steps consisting in forming a .baseplate by the electrodeposition of metal upon a surface which is a replica of the portion of the mouth for which the denture is desired, forging a perforated reinforcing plate to conform to said. base-plate, and permanently uniting said plates by the electrodeposition of metal in said perforations.

W 26. In a process for making artificial dentures, the steps consisting in forming a baseplate by the electrodeposition of metal upon a surface which is a replica of the ortion of the mouth for which the denture 1s desired, setting teeth having a metal backing on said base-plate, positioning a reinforcing plate on said base-plate having portions covering the sides of said metal backings, and permanently uniting said plates to each other and said teeth to said reinforcing plate by the electrodeposition of metal.

27. In a process for making artificial dentures, the steps consisting in forming a baseplate of metal to conform to the portion of the mouth for which the denture is desired,

setting a tooth on said base-platef'and elec troplating selected portionsor areas of the denture with metal to give them the desired tint.

28. In a process for making artificial dentures, the steps consisting in forming a baseplate by the electrodeposition of an alloy consisting substantially of iron and nickel in suitable proportions upon a surface which is a replica of the portion of the-mouth for which the denture is desired, setting a. tooth base-plate with the same alloy to reinforce the same.

29. In a process for making artificial dentures, the steps consisting in forming a. baseplate to conform to the portion of the mouth for which the denture is desired, setting a toothon said base-plate, covering the exposed surfaces of the base portion of said tooth with material which is a good conductor of electricity, and forming a socket for said tooth by the electrodeposition of metal upon said covered portion thereof.

30. In a process for making artificial dentures, the steps consisting in forming a baseplate to conform to the portion-of the mouth for'which the denture is desired, setting a tooth on said base-plate, covering the exposed surfaces of the base portion of said tooth with material which is a good conductor of electricity, and forming a socket for said tooth and a reinforcement for-said baseplate by the electrodeposition upon the covered portion of said tooth and upon said base-plate of an alloy consisting substantially of iron and nickel in suitable proportions.

31. In a process for making artificial'den-v tures, the step s consisting in forming a baseplate to conform to the portion of the mouth for which the denture is desired by the electrodeposition of an alloy consisting substantially of iron and nickel in suitable proportions, setting a tooth on said base-plate, covering the exposed surfaces of the base portion of said tooth with metal foil, and forming a socket for said tooth and a reinforcement for said base-plate by the electrodeposition of said iron-nickel alloy upon the covered portion of said tooth and upon said base-plate. I

32. The process of making ametallic artificialdenture, comprising formin separate metallic sections of the desired s ape, and then permanentlynniting said sections by the electrodeposition of metal through perforations formed in certain of said sections.

33. The process ofmaking a metallic artificial denture, comprising forming separate metallic sections of the desired sha and then permanently uniting said sections by the electrodeposition of metal through perforations formed in certain of said sections and having undercut edges.

34. The process of making a metallic artificial denture, comprising formin separate metallic sections of the desired s ape, certain of said sections being formed by the electrodeposition of metal, and permanently uniting said sections by the electrodeposition of metal. 1

35. The process of making a metallic artificial denture, comprising forming separate metallic sections of the desired shapeL'cer- 'tain of said sections being formed by the THOMAS BUENAVEI ITURA. 

